Combining rTMS with CBT for treating OCD
Official title: Priming Cognitive Flexibility with RTMS to Enhance CBT for OCD: a Pilot Study
Run by Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre · NCT06840951 · Data updated 2026-05-14
This study is no longer in our active list. It may have stopped recruiting or finished. The details below are as of 2026-05-14 and are kept for reference. Check ClinicalTrials.gov for its current status, or see similar studies below.
This study is testing if combining a brain treatment called rTMS with therapy can help people with obsessive-compulsive disorder feel better.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 1 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 18 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 10 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Toronto, Ontario) |
| Trial ID | NCT06840951 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are adults aged 18-65 who experience clinically significant OCD symptoms and are stabilized on medication.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with severe mood disorders, psychotic disorders, or active medical conditions requiring urgent intervention may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This study investigates the effectiveness of combining repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The approach aims to enhance cognitive functioning through rTMS before initiating CBT, potentially leading to improved treatment outcomes. Participants will undergo rTMS treatment followed by CBT, with the goal of assessing whether this combination can better address the cognitive deficits often associated with OCD. The study is designed as a pilot test to evaluate the clinical benefits of this novel therapeutic strategy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly improve treatment responses for patients with OCD by enhancing cognitive functioning.
How similar studies have gone: While rTMS has shown moderate therapeutic effects in OCD, this specific combination with CBT is a novel approach that has not been extensively tested.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * between the ages of 18-65 * experiencing clinically significant obsessive-compulsive symptoms based on the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (YBOCS; score \> 16) * if on medications for OCD, must be stabilized, i.e., are currently receiving an adequate dose (equivalent of 40mg/day of fluoxetine) for an adequate duration (at least 8 weeks) prior to the initiation of the study Exclusion Criteria: * concurrent diagnosis of a severe mood disorder, schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders, or substance abuse/dependence * suspected organic pathology * an active comorbid medical condition that may require urgent intervention during the treatment
Where it's running
-
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Toronto, Ontario, Canada Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Neil A. Rector, Ph.D. — Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
- Study coordinator: Kailee Kassardjian
- Email: kailee.kassardjian@sri.utoronto.ca
- Phone: 416-480-6100
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
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Safety and feasibility of a next-generation dome helmet for neuromodulation in OCD
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Bergen Four-Day Treatment for OCD, in Finland
This trial tests whether the Bergen Four-Day Treatment for OCD can be implemented in Finnish psychiatric care to help people with OCD see if the intensive program works in a real-world setting.
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Test different deep TMS coils and targets to treat OCD
This study tests whether different deep TMS coils and brain targets help reduce OCD symptoms in adults with OCD, using a double-blind setup with sham and active stimulation.
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Role of theta brain waves in how kids control thoughts and actions
This study tests whether theta-frequency brain activity can reveal how children with ADHD or OCD, and healthy kids, manage thinking and behavior during tasks.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.